EU Faces Pressure Over 2035 Combustion Engine Ban

Manama: Europe’s car industry is calling on the European Union to reconsider its planned 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles, as manufacturers warn of a looming crisis.

The European Commission is set to review the ban on December 10 as part of a wider plan to support the auto sector. However, differing opinions among EU member states and industry groups may delay the decision.

The 2035 ban, introduced in 2023 under the EU Green Deal, aims to switch all new cars to electric, helping the bloc reach climate neutrality by 2050. But carmakers argue the goal is overly ambitious.
“Our sector received one of the strictest targets because it was seen as easy to decarbonize,” the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) said. “The reality has proven much more complicated.”

Pressure is mounting as Chinese carmakers offer cheaper electric vehicles in Europe, raising fears of factory closures and layoffs among European manufacturers. “The ground is slipping beneath our feet,” warned Luc Chatel of France’s Plateforme automotive group.

Germany and Italy Push for Flexibility

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is advocating for exceptions, including plug-in hybrids, range-extender vehicles, and highly efficient combustion engines after 2035. Italy supports allowing cars running on biofuels beyond the deadline.

France Stands Firm

France, however, wants to stick to the all-electric plan to protect investments in its car industry. President Emmanuel Macron stressed that abandoning the 2035 target would threaten European battery production. France also proposes mandatory electrification of corporate fleets using European-made vehicles to compete with Chinese brands, a move opposed by Germany.

BMW chief Oliver Zipse added that forcing fleets to go fully electric could effectively enforce the combustion-engine ban “through the back door.”

The EU now faces a delicate balancing act between environmental goals and the survival of its automotive industry.